Buy 120 film for your Holga camera

I know there are quite a few new Holga photographer out there - and as a Holga newbie I also know that it is not that easy to know what films to buy and what outcomes to expect. Hence I have put together this guide to assist you along the way. All photos shown here are shot with my beloved Holga camera.

What type of film works best for the Holga?

To start with, you have three main options when it comes to 120 film for the Holga:

• Color negative film
• Black & white negative film
• Color positive film

Negative film (or print film) is the most common type of medium format film. Negative film can either be in color or black & white. Positive film is usually a bit more expensive than negative film, but it also has a few advantages: One of the benefits of positive film is that it can keep more detail in comparision to negative film. The resolution is higher. Another advantage is that it will give your photos more faithful colors and less perceptible grain.

Positive film is also capable of being cross processed (cross processing = developing positive slide film as if it was normal negative film). Cross processed slide film tend to get over-saturated and have very high contrasts. I like it a lot, but you can never be quite sure of what the results may look like. The double exposure of the palm trees to the right is shot with Fuji Velvia 100 and cross processed.

Personally I love using black and white film with the Holga, primarily for these reasons: As a beginner it is quite uncomplicated gaining good looking photos using black and white film. I really love the old school feeling that you often get. Personally I also have a hard time getting good results with color film together with the Holga on dull and grey days. I think black and white films work really good in any weather conditions.

One important part to consider when buying 120 film for your Holga, is the ISO value, also known as film speed. The ISO value primarily affects two things: In what kind of lightning circumstances the film may be applied and the amount of grain that can be seen in the photos. Some standard ISO ratings are: iso 100, iso 200, iso 400 and iso 800. As a new Holga user iso 400 film is an excellent beginner's choice. It will perform nicely in quite diverse lightning conditions. A slow film (iso 100) on the contrary, is best used in bright daylight or with the flash. A high speed film (iso 1600 or 3200) may be used in poorly lit conditions without the need for the flash. High speed films usually have got distinct perceptible grain and slow films barely have any observable grain. Though be careful when using high speed films. It is easy getting over-exposed results if you are shooting in too bright light.

If you enjoy experimenting with odd kinds of film, there are several films which you should really try out with the Holga:

• Redscale film (a type of negative colour film which gives you nice hues of reds and yellows)
• Infrared film (black and white infrared film captures more than what appears to the human retina!)
• High speed film (iso 1600 or even higher, usually results in pictures with cool perceptible grain)
• Slide film (extreme colors if cross processed).

If you want more ideas and inspiration when it comes to film for your Holga please visit my website Buy 120 Film. You will find the link below: